Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for central nervous system agents. It serves as a building block in the preparation of certain antidepressants and anticonvulsants due to its ability to undergo selective transformations on the ketone and aromatic ring. Also employed in the development of agrochemicals and specialty organic compounds where a chlorinated aryl alkyl ketone structure is required. Its reactivity allows for use in condensation, reduction, and cyclization reactions in research and industrial settings.